Home Ministry puts off meet on NCTC to March 12

NEW DELHI: The Home Ministry has postponed a meeting of top police and civil officials of all states scheduled for March 9 to end the logjam on NCTC and it will now be held on March 12.

The meeting of the Chief Secretaries, Directors General of Police, state Home Secretaries and Chiefs of state Anti-Terror Squads was convened by the Union Home Secretary to discuss in detail the scope and functions of the NCTC.

Home Ministry officials said the decision to rescheduled the conference to March 12 has been taken following requests from several states that due to Holi festival and a long week-end, many of the officials would not be able to attend the meeting.

Some of them also conveyed their inability to attend the crucial meeting on March 9 citing the short notice given to them and pre-schduled engagements.

In the wake of strong protests by non-Congress Chief Ministers, the Centre has put on hold the operationalisation of the National Counter Terrorism Centre from March 1 and decided to discuss with the state governments before going ahead with the plan.

In his letter to 10 Chief Ministers, Home Minister P Chidambaram had assured that the "next steps" on NCTC will be taken only after the meeting of the top officials of the states.